True Summer Brews
Relax this summer with a glass of chilled ale or ice-cold lager. Abigail
Saltmarsh highlights a few tempting Welsh beers that could be perfect
for that picnic or barbecue in the sizzling hot sunshine...
Alfresco Hazy Pale Ale
is aptly named pale ale from the Bluestone Brewing
Co. in rural North Pembrokeshire is a refreshing
choice for those outdoor occasions this summer.
A suitably juicy 4.3% ABV beer, it is brewed with
saturated yeast and Simcoe, Centennial and Citra hops,
giving it a tropical summery edge. On their working
family farm near Newport, these brewers also produce
Stone Cold (4.2% ABV), another fruity choice made
with Simcoe and Mosaic and perfect at this time of
year.
Barry Island IPA
What could be more in keeping with summer than a
trip to Barry Island? Inspired by American IPA but
truly Welsh at heart, this 4.5% ABV number is one to
bring out of the cool chest on those scenic South Wales
beaches. Its blend of US hops o ers bursts of citrus and
berry. Brains has been brewing in Cardi since 1882,
but this is a bright, bold and decidedly modern beer.
Beach Lager
Preparing a picnic for a day out on the sand right
here in Wales? Tenby Brewing Co. has exactly what
your hamper is lacking. Beach Lager (3.4% ABV), its
un ltered helles brew, is a pale beer with biscuity notes
and a gentle bitterness. It is gluten free and suitable for
vegans too – so expect everyone to be reaching for a
can as you sunbathe on the shore.
Borderland
Recently released and perfect for this time of year is
Polly’s Australian IPA Borderland (5% ABV). Crack
open a can to release a combination of exotic avours
including deep pineapple, velvety passionfruit and
zingy citrus. e Flintshire brewery also has a new IPA,
Block Dri (6.1% ABV), which also o ers a taste of the
tropics. Pour yourself a glass and wait for the peach,
mango, papaya and strawberry sensations. Punnets of
delicious summer fruit...
California Golden Ale
Immediately conjuring up streaming sunshine, this
citrus blonde (4.7% ABV) is just one of the Conwy
Brewery’s West Coast collection options that you might
like to crack open over the coming weeks. Brewed with
American hops for that classic grapefruit avour, it
brings the Welsh and Californian summers together
with ease. Other West Coast choices include Sur n
(5.1% ABV), Riptide (4.6 % ABV) and Golden Gate
(5.8 % ABV).
Chinookan VPA
With its piney aroma, this very pale ale from Grey
Trees Brewery in Aberdare brings the cool July
and August breezes of picture-postcard Bannau
Brycheiniog right into the glass. A refreshing, single
hop 4.2% ABV drink, with a medium intensity, it o ers
light hints of spice and grapefruit, as well as pine. e
brewery’s Afghan Pale Ale (5.4% ABV), with its notes
of lemon grass and tropical fruit, is another standout
beer to reach for at the moment.
Clwb Cabana
Bring a touch of the tropics to Wales with this
Caribbean IPA from Tiny Rebel. e Newport brewer’s
Clwb Cabana is packed full of summer vibes and
over owing with a medley of juicy delights. With a
7% ABV, it manages to be smooth while also packing
a punch. For those who love their beer bursting with
pineapple, mango and peach aromas, Clwb Tropica
IPA (5% ABV) is another perfect pick from Tiny Rebel.
Emrallt IPA
A true jewel in the Wild Horse Brewing Co’s crown,
Emrallt IPA (6% ABV) is a celebration of the verdant
Welsh countryside and the picturesque coastline.
Brewed in Llandudno by the Wild Horse Brewing Co,
it marries bold citrus avours with an easy-sipping
hazy body. Scooping a Gold Award in the Bottle and
Can IPA category at the 2026 National SIBA Indie Beer
Awards, it could well be a winner for you as well this
summer.
Farmhouse Pilsner
Sit back in the shade with a glass of Sobremesa’s
Farmhouse Pilsner (4.7%). is refreshing tipple is
created with British oor malt but has a distinctly
German pilsner style. Crisp and refreshing, it is perfect
for a balmy July or August evening. For those looking
for an earthier avour, Sobremesa’s hoppy Farmers Pale
Ale (4.9%) is also superb for a summer celebration.
Rocky Bottom
Spend time by the sea and sip a can of Tenby Harbwr
Brewery’s Rocky Bottom. is South West Wales
creation is a 4.6% ABV Welsh premium lager made for
days out on the coast. With subtle oral hops and hints
of citrus, it is a crisp, golden drink with an abundance
of summery, seaside sensation. For those who prefer
IPA, the brewery’s Viking Saga (5.3% ABV) is another
fruity option. harbwr.wales
Felinfoel Craft IPA
is relative newcomer from the Felinfoel Brewery,
near Llanelli, has a glowing straw shade that is quite
simply summer in a bottle. With a recipe that was
in uenced by American-style IPA beers, it exudes
oral hops and brings caramelised malt to the palate.
A medium-bodied 4% ABV beer, it makes a nice
accompaniment to a light plate but is also an easy,
standalone mid-a ernoon or evening sipper.
Langum Lager
Lager lovers should look no further than Langum
when seeking something to sip on this summer. From
the Cleddau Brewing Co, based at Pembroke Dock,
this rice lager comes in 5% ABV Hi Expression and
2.9% ABV Low Expression versions. Smooth and light,
it has a crisp nish that is perfect for a hot day. For a
tipple with a rounder avour and a gentle, juicier haze,
the brewery’s East Coast Hazy Pale comes in 3.2% ABV
and 5.7% ABV choices.
Mŵsh Lager
Looking for a thirst-quenching Welsh lager? e clean
taste of Purple Moose’s Mŵsh (4.7% ABV) might be
just what you are seeking. Brewed in Porthmadog,
this is a palatable, Kölsch-style lager with a light fruity
nish and hints of caramel. Another suitably summery
o ering from the creative brewers at Purple Moose is
High Hops (5.4% ABV). A robust yet refreshing IPA,
this presents tantalising, tropical undertones and is
perfect for sharing at your next garden party.
Simcoe Sun
Jump in quickly to secure yourself a few bottles of this
summer’s limited edition ale from Monty’s Brewery,
based near Montgomery in Powys. At 4.6% ABV,
Simcoe Sun is a punchy, fruity session ale created from
Jester and Mosaic, as well as Simcoe hops. Also perfect
for enjoying in the great outdoors is Monty’s Helles
German-style lager, which has a sweeter nish. Pop a
few bottles of this pale, straw-coloured, 4% ABV brew
into the fridge.
Sunrise Pale Ale
Ideal for golden sands and blue skies, this 3.8% ABV
beer from the Hafod Brewing Co in Mold is a light,
upli ing pale ale. A perfect complement to homemade
picnic delicacies, it is as suited to a day out in the
countryside as it is to the beach. Also an ideal choice
in warmer weather is the North Wales brewery’s
Helles Lager (4.6% ABV). Made with Perle hops, this
embraces a fresh, bready aroma and a smooth malty
avour.
Wrexham Lager Sharer
Bring this 5L mini keg along to any picnic or barbecue
– there will be plenty to go round. Chill it rst, then
loosen the top air vent and release some of the gas
pressure. Pull open the spout at the bottom and pour
away. A true classic with a clean aroma, Wrexham
Lager (4% ABV) is always a rm favourite on sunny
summer days in Wales.
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